News Briefs

Putin Urges Army Upgrade Amid Geopolitical Developments

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for a drastic upgrade of Russia's armed forces in the next three years to fend off attempts to "tip the strategic balance" in the world.

In an address to Russia's defense ministry, Putin said Russia is witnessing "insistent attempts" to tip the balance of power and spoke out against U.S. attempts to set up missile defense systems.

"Geopolitical developments call for our response to be well-calculated and quick," the Interfax news agency quoted him as saying. "The Russian armed forces must move to a dramatically new level of capabilities as soon as in the next three to five years."